'Leaders elected by political parties, Speaker has no role'

With SAD-BJP seeking the removal of AAP MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira as leader of opposition in Punjab Assembly, Speaker Rana K P Singh today put the onus on political parties to decide their leaders in the House.
Singh was replying to a question regarding the demand of SAD-BJP which have sought removal of Khaira as Leader of Opposition after he was summoned by a Fazilka court in a drug case.
"Leaders of respective political parties are elected by their parties only. As far as election of the leader of any political party is concerned, either leader of majority or leader of minority, Speaker has no role to play," said Singh.

"Political parties decide who is to be their leader in the House. Speaker is just to recognise it," he said.
Earlier this month, a joint delegation of the SAD and the BJP had submitted a memorandum to Singh, seeking immediate removal of Khaira from the post of the leader of opposition.
Khaira had described it as "a classic instance of political vendetta".

On AAP's demand for enhancement in the number of sittings in the House, the speaker said he agreed with the idea.
"It ultimately depends upon the volume of work; how much work you have, like -- government bills, private bills, resolutions etc, and after considering all these, the decision is taken," he said.

AAP had sought from the Speaker to enhance the number of sittings in the House to enable members to raise their issues.
The party had said the increase in number of sittings would help in lessening the chances of disorder in the House.